Messaging devices and methods

Abstract

An electronic messaging device includes a receiver configured to receive a message at one of a first operational frequency and second operational frequency. The messaging device can operate using a time synchronous protocol and can receive commands through over-the-internet-programming (OTIP) and over-the-air-programming (OTAP).

We claim: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 electronically coupling a messaging device to a computing device; said messaging device locally storing a plurality of messages; said messaging device is operational on a primary operational frequency and a secondary operational frequency; 
 uploading said plurality of messages from said messaging device to said computing device; 
 subsequent to said messaging device being added to a second message distribution group associated with a group CAP code comprising a plurality of existing messaging devices each of the plurality of existing messaging devices respectively storing said group CAP code in memory of said existing messaging device; receiving by said messaging device from said computing device a test communication to confirm an addition of said messaging device to said second message distribution group; and 
 when said test communication is successfully received by said messaging device, indicating by said messaging device receipt of said test communication. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein indicating receipt of said test communication includes providing at least one of a visual alert and an audible alert. 
     
     
       3. The method as defined in  claims 1 , wherein said computing device is in communication with a host through a network connection. 
     
     
       4. The method as defined in  claim 1 , further including the step of subsequent to said successful receipt of said test communication, operating said messaging device at a first operational frequency; and determining a first filtered average received signal strength indication (RSSI) level of said first operational frequency based on a first plurality of measured RSSI levels, and wherein only measured RSSI levels that are within a target RSSI range are included in said first plurality of measured RSSI levels. 
     
     
       5. The method as defined in  claim 4 , further including the step of: incrementing said value of a first variable when said determined first filtered average RSSI level of said first operational frequency is above a first threshold RSSI level;
 reducing said value of a second variable when said value of said first variable is at a first threshold value; 
 incrementing said value of said second variable when said determined first filtered average RSSI level of said first operational frequency is below said first threshold RSSI level; and 
 operating said messaging device at a second operational frequency when said value of said second variable is at a second threshold value. 
 
     
     
       6. A messaging device comprising:
 a Universal Serial Bus (USB) data interface; 
 a rechargeable power source; 
 a processor; and 
 a computer readable medium locally storing a plurality of Channel Access Protocol (CAP) codes; a first of said plurality of CAP codes uniquely identifies said messaging device and a second of said plurality of CAP codes identifies said messaging device as a member of a first message distribution group; said computer readable medium includes instructions stored thereon which when executed by said processor causes said processor to receive messages on one of a primary operational frequency and a secondary operational frequency; said primary operational frequency is associated with a private network and said secondary operational frequency is associated with a public carrier network; 
 subsequent to said messaging device being added to a second message distribution group associated with a group CAP code comprising a plurality of existing messaging devices each of the plurality of existing messaging devices respectively storing said group CAP code in memory of said existing messaging device; receiving by said messaging device from said computing device a test communication to confirm an addition of said messaging device to said second message distribution group; and 
 when said test communication is successfully received by said messaging device, indicating by said messaging device receipt of said test communication. 
 
     
     
       7. The messaging device as defined in  claim 6 , further comprising a wireless communication interface. 
     
     
       8. The messaging device as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said instructions which when executed by said processor further cause the processor to wirelessly transfer a message using said wireless communication interface to said computing device. 
     
     
       9. The messaging device as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said primary operational frequency and said secondary operational frequency are both within a range of 929-932 MHz. 
     
     
       10. The messaging device as defined in  claim 6 , wherein receipt of said test communication is indicated by at least one of a visual alert and an audible alert. 
     
     
       11. The messaging device as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said instructions which when executed by said processor further cause said processor to receive an update to an encryption key. 
     
     
       12. The messaging device as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said computing device is in communication with a host through a network connection and said update to said encryption key is received from said host by said computing device.